[Davey1LE]

So...

This thing is going to get me a ticket in no time...

A radar detector is needed, I have never owned one before.. Looking to see what everyone is using!

Do not want to stretch the budget to far but willing to spend if its worth it.

What do you guys recommend? Would like one that lets me know long before I come in contact with them.. I have had some bad tickets and cannot afford another one (Also my job requires me to have a good driving record)

Also would like one that I can install with a clean look. (Not wires everywhere)

Would appreciate all feedback! Thank you

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Davey1LE

So...

This thing is going to get me a ticket in no time...

A radar detector is needed, I have never owned one before.. Looking to see what everyone is using!

Do not want to stretch the budget to far but willing to spend if its worth it.

What do you guys recommend? Would like one that lets me know long before I come in contact with them.. I have had some bad tickets and cannot afford another one (Also my job requires me to have a good driving record)

Also would like one that I can install with a clean look. (Not wires everywhere)

Would appreciate all feedback! Thank you

I have an Escort, but there's lots of good ones, Cobra, Uniden, and more. Radar and laser blockers are also available.

[Classic Muscle]

I think Waze is a good substitute for radar detector.

[cariboocreek]

Escort Redline 360 or the Uniden R8 are two of the top ones. I run both and find them to be very comparable. However they are only useful with non-laser radar. I will let someone else speak to laser.

[Allez]

I have a Uniden R7, which I'm happy with because it has good range and has arrows. The R8 is the update to that, but it is significantly more expensive.

I like arrows because it helps with situational awareness. Otherwise it can be difficult to be sure where the alert is coming from.

Waze is not a substitute for a RD. I use both. Waze is good if someone else spots a LEO before you get there, but what if you're the first one? What if nobody else bothered to mark it?

RDs do not help against laser unless you're really lucky. Otherwise, if laser detection goes off you've already been clocked. Waze can help a little if someone marked the LEO, but the only defense is a laser jammer. Laser jammers need to be installed in your car ($$). The best out there I believe is ALP. They are not legal in some states (although I think they're OK in Maryland).

I don't think there's any radar jammer on the market - might not be legal.

If you want more info, check out Vortex's channel on YouTube.

[Camden45]

The correct way of using radar detectors:

1. Never be the one in the front. No radar detector will save you.
2. Use Waze to be alerted ahead of potential speed traps.
3. Use the radar detector.

You don't use the radar detector as your first line of defense, it's really your last line of defense. Common sense and situational awareness is always the 1st.

[cdrptrks]

Originally Posted by Tannero

Hey everyone
I want to get a radar detector

Haven’t had one since the 90s

Last time I checked, Radenso Pro M was still the only self installable option that can differentiate between a cop and a car's blind spot monitoring (BSM) if they happen to be using the same frequency which can happen. All other brands plus even the newer Radensos that have been released so far have notch filter(s) that would not detect a cop using one of these frequencies. But the Pro M still gives false K band alerts for BMS and/or radar cruise control on some newer Mazdas and a few Cadillacs and Radenso seems to have stopped releasing firmware updates for it.
Mine does well with the visor mount. You will want to tap power from behind the rearview mirror for a less obvious installation (only possible on 2018 or older model years I believe).

If officers use laser instead of K band or Ka band radar in your area, you are looking at spending a few thousand dollars to install a laser jammer which is illegal in a lot of places.

If you are the first car to encounter a cop using instant on radar (or laser) on an empty road then a radar detector will not save you.

Unless you are planning to flee a cop (which will likely have worse consequences than getting a speeding ticket) then the arrows don't matter IMO because the response will always be to slow down if you are speeding when the radar detector goes off regardless of the which arrow lights up.

[SammYyYyY]

Valentine V1 Gen 2 user here; I've enjoyed it thus far. Good range, great customizability. No complaints I can think of.

[The Chief (tm)]

Valentine 1 hands-down.

Consistently rated #1 in tests by Car & Driver, and I mean for like the last twenty years (not kidding). Also offers lots of in-house "hidden wiring" and other accessory options.

Caveat: not inexpensive.

[Allez]

One thing to keep in mind is that radar detectors do not make you invincible. You have to be alert, watch who's sitting in the slow lane, and watch who's behind you. You're RD won't go off if you're being paced. You still need to be alert and have common sense.

[jf12volt]

+ 1 for the Valentine. Simple and works awesome and filters out almost all of the blind spot monitor system false alerts. Coupled with Waze and smart driving couldn't be happier

[Wyzz Kydd]

Originally Posted by Allez

One thing to keep in mind is that radar detectors do not make you invincible. You have to be alert, watch who's sitting in the slow lane, and watch who's behind you. You're RD won't go off if you're being paced. You still need to be alert and have common sense.

I like to drive fast, not so much on surface streets, but Interstates for sure. Most Saturdays I’m logging 150 to 250 interstate miles at speeds well in excess of the posted limits.

It’s been a little over 3 years since my last ticket. I wasn’t paying close attention and drifted up from my planned 84 mph to 91. Even so I should have spotted him.

I use Waze, my eyes, and 45 years of experience spotting cops. Seems to work fine. Nothing against cops, but they’re very predictable.

[ember1205]

Radar jammers are illegal. Laser jammers are illegal in a number of states (including VA where detectors are ALSO illegal).

I'm trying to remember if it was VA or MD where I received a citation based on a speed camera that was set up (I was never stopped, it just came in the mail - it was NOT a moving violation).

Keep in mind that, based on how radar detectors work, LEO's are aware that you have one in your car. This could cause them to "pre-judge" you and be more likely to not only pull you over for more minor infractions, but more likely to ticket you as well.

[Allez]

Originally Posted by ember1205

Radar jammers are illegal. Laser jammers are illegal in a number of states (including VA where detectors are ALSO illegal).

I'm trying to remember if it was VA or MD where I received a citation based on a speed camera that was set up (I was never stopped, it just came in the mail - it was NOT a moving violation).

Keep in mind that, based on how radar detectors work, LEO's are aware that you have one in your car. This could cause them to "pre-judge" you and be more likely to not only pull you over for more minor infractions, but more likely to ticket you as well.

Plenty of speed cameras in Maryland - construction zones and school zones.

True also that if you do get caught speeding with a radar detector you're pretty much going to get a ticket and not a warning.